Sunburn and Sun Poisoning (cont.)

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

What are the symptoms of sunburn?

Because heat triggers fluid loss, a sunburn victim can also become
dehydrated.

For several days after exposure, the skin may itch, swell, blister, and
peel. Some sufferers develop welts or rashes.

Skin peeling can occur several days later after a
sun rash develops and
is a sign of healing and rebuilding of skin.

More subtle exposures to the sun may not have any obvious immediate symptoms
such as the ones listed above. Most sunburns are mild causing only skin redness,
pain, and irritation or possibly a rash due to involvement of the outer layer of skin (first degree
burn). This type of burn may be painful to touch.

A more moderate sunburn (second degree burn) may cause the skin to become swollen
(edema), and very red, with painful blisters. This type of sun rash may take longer to heal.

People who have chronic (long standing) exposure
to sun can increase their changes of developing chronic skin damage from sun
exposure (wrinkles, aging, age spots, freckles, skin cancer, scarring, etc.).

The symptoms of sunburn can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending mainly on
the following:

The skin type of the person affected. (more detail to follow in this
article)

The time, duration, location, and altitude of exposure.

Medications the person has been taking (sun-sensitizing
drugs may increase a person's susceptibility to a bad sunburn).

Skin preparations (sunscreen) the person has been using.

What are the
symptoms of severe sunburn (sun poisoning)?

In addition to the usual symptoms of sunburn, in severe cases of sunburn (sun
poisoning), the individual may experience:

fever,

nausea,

chills,

dizziness,

rapid pulse,

rapid breathing,

dehydration,

shock with loss of
consciousness, and/or

severe blisters or soreness.

Cases of severe sunburn may also be associated with
heat exhaustion or
heat stroke, which is a
medical emergency. Severe cases of sunburn require emergency medical treatment.

Sunburn (Sun Poisoning) - Applying SunscreenQuestion: What tips do you use for applying sunscreen, for example, the time of day, how many applications, how to remind yourself to reapply sunscreen, etc.